PRESENT – President Bollendorf, Vice President Stockton, Councilwoman Reichner, Councilwoman McMenamin, Councilman Myers, Councilwoman Jacobus, Mayor Schultz, Manager Hegele, Assistant Secretary Derenzis, Chief Gardner, Deputy Chief Ruegg, Solicitor Geiser, Engineer Goff, Fire Company President Ide, Treasurer Smith, and Library Board Member Muriel were present.
ABSENT – Fire Marshal Dermer was excused.
CALL TO ORDER – President Bollendorf called the December 19, 2022, Council Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
INVOCATION – The invocation was given by Mayor Schultz.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Chief Gardner led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Schultz asked for a moment of silence to remember Councilwoman Aleta Ostrander.
MEETING NOTES – President Bollendorf read the Public Comment policy on the back of the agenda regarding addressing Council and time allotment.
PUBLIC COMMENT – VOTING ITEMS ONLY –
Mike Tulio, 24-28 S. York Road property owner, stated that according to the proposed RC-2 text amendment ordinance, the setbacks will affect what he has proposed and asked if there was any way anything can be done as they did not receive a copy of the revised draft until the day of the meeting.
Solicitor Geiser stated there are two proposed amendments which the Borough received this afternoon from Mr. Tulio’s attorney, and it would require to go back to the Planning Condition and that tonight is not adoption but a vote to advertise.
Councilwoman McMenamin asked what was different and Mr. Tulio stated the side yard set back when abuts to a residential district and she stated that she would look at it tomorrow and get back to him.
Solicitor Geiser stated she received the proposed changes this afternoon and will speak to Planner Kennedy.
Katrina Nuss, 113 Academy Road, asked for explanation of the DCNR application. Councilman Myers stated explained it is an initiative and not a grant and the vote would be to identify the project.
MAYOR’S REPORT – Mayor Schultz wished everyone Happy Holidays and thanked everyone for a great 2022 and looks forward to 2023.
OFFICER’S REPORTS
PRESIDENT’S REPORT – President Bollendorf stated we had a very unique year as we have lost family members and friends and came together as a community with the Pennypack acquisition and Gold Star Garden project. President Bollendorf stated he spoke with Aleta’s son, and he thanked everyone for the outpouring of support to their family during this time.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Smith stated the balance in all accounts for the period ending November 2022, is $ 3,043,068.27 with interest earned in the amount of $ 2,558.97.
SOLICITOR’S REPORT – Solicitor Geiser stated she has been assisting Borough staff with the revised proposed RC-2 Town Center Ordinance which is before Council this evening. Solicitor Geiser stated she has been assisting Borough staff with routine matters.
ENGINEER’S REPORT – Engineer Goff stated they received a letter of adequacy for the hatboro Memorial Park Streambank project. Engineer Goff stated the Wawa is still under cease operations while they await a letter from their Engineer stating they are compliant with OSHA standards and once she receives, she will review and hopefully get them back working again on the site. Engineer Goff stated she worked with staff to put together the Small Water/Sewer Grant application which is a 15% match.
MANAGER’S REPORT – Manager Hegele thanked the mayor for his kind words, and she is looking forward to 2023. Manager Hegele stated the Planning Commission met and made a recommendation to Council to approve to advertise for a hearing for the RC-2 text Amendment ordinance. Manager Hegele stated Council will adopt the 2023 operating budget for the Borough of Hatboro and copies are on the table this evening and thanked those who worked hard to get the budget completed as it is not an easy task. Manager Hegele wished everyone Happy Holidays and is looking forward to great things in the Borough in 2023.
STAFF REPORTS
POLICE – Chief Gardner stated the Hatboro PD completed Active Shooter Training on the County’s plan in early December and thanked the regional SWAT team for offering the training to all officers. Chief Gardner stated their traffic enforcement grant continues with DUI and seatbelt patrols. Chief Gardner stated they received notification from the PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency that the Hatboro PD was awarded a no match grant in the amount of $ 205,447.00 which was the full award for the body and dashboard cameras they need to replace. He thanked Deputy Chief Ruegg for his work on that application. Chief Gardner extended condolences to the Ostrander Family on behalf of the Police Department.
TAX COLLECTIONS – The tax collectors report was electronically submitted.
PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS/ FACILITIES – Manager Hegele stated the reminder for Special Pick up for those with Monday recycling and the special pickup for RECYLCING ONLY is Wednesday, December 28th. She stated notices have been delivered as well as posted on our website and Facebook. Manager Hegele stated the Borough will begin collection of Christmas trees on regular pick-up days after the holiday and trees can be placed curbside on either of your regular trash pickup days. Manager Hegele stated PW continues to be ready for winter weather and looks like we may have seen a white Christmas but now it
appears it will be all rain. Manager Hegele stated staff has been working in Loller Building and continue to work towards the goal of returning partial operations to Loller in the first quarter of 2023 and we are working to get public meetings back in the building first, then followed by staff. Manager Hegele stated, on behalf of the men and women at Hatboro Public Works, thank you to the residents for your support and generosity and we wish Council and the Borough a wonderful holiday season.
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT – There was no update.
FIRE MARSHAL – Manager Hegele stated Fire Marshal Dermer was excused from tonight’s meeting due to another commitment and stated for the month of November 2022 he completed 6 U&O Inspections, 1 rental inspection, 61 business inspections, followed up on 10 property maintenance issues, and responded to 3 emergencies in the Borough. She also sated the Fire marshal’s office wants to remind everyone to make sure you are practicing fire safety, check lights, do not use too many extension cords, and please water your live trees.
FIRE COMPANY – Fire Company President Ide stated the Fire Company elected a new Chief. Fire Company President Ide stated the Fire Company responded to 18 calls. Fire Company President Ide stated the Fire Company Brought Santa to the tree lighting and escorted him around town. Fire Company President Ide stated the Fire Company is always looking for new members. Fire Company president Ide stated lawn signs advertising for volunteers are still available if anyone would like to display one.
UNION LIBRARY REPORT – Board Member O’Neill stated the tree lighting was on 12/2/22 and over 250 people attended to see Santa. Board Member O’Neill stated the Fire marshal inspected the library and the few corrections needed were already made. Board Member O’Neill stated new books are available to check out. Board Member O’Neill stated the 2021 audit was sent out. Board Member O’Neill stated the board members are still looking for a new Library Director.
ORDER OF BUSINESS AND VOTING ITEMS
ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF REPORTS – Councilwoman Jacobus made a motion to acknowledge the receipt of UMHJS Minutes, Public Works, Fire Marshal, and Treasurer’s reports. Motion was seconded by Councilman Myers, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST, PAYMENT OF BILLS, MANUAL CHECKS AND TRANSFERS – Councilwoman McMenamin made a motion to approve the Warrant List, Payment of Bills, Manual Checks, and Transfers for the month of November 2022. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Reichner, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
NOVEMBER 28, 2022, COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES – Councilman Myers made a motion to approve the November 28, 2022, Council Meeting Minutes. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman McMenamin, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
DECEMBER 5, COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES – Councilwoman Jacobus made a motion to approve the December 5, 2022, Committee meeting Minutes. Motion was seconded by Councilman Myers and Councilwoman Reichner abstained as she was not present for the meeting, all ayes. Motion carried 5-0 with 1 abstention.
ENTERPRISE FIRE COMPANY EXPENDITURE LIST – Councilman Myers made a motion to approve the Enterprise Fire Company Expenditure List for the month of November 2022 in the amount of $ 9,013.58. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Jacobus, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
BOROUGH HALL ELECTRIC PAYMENT #8 – Vice President Stockton made a motion to approve payment #8 for the Borough Hall Electrical contract to MJF Electrical Contracting in the amount of $ 12,298.74. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Reichner, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
BOROUGH HALL MECHANICAL PAYMENT #13 – Councilwoman McMenamin made a motion to approve payment 3 13 for the Borough Hall Mechanical contract to Guy M. Cooper Inc. in the amount of $ 41,658.39. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Reichner, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
BOROUGH HALL FIRE SUPPRESSION PAYMENT # 10 – Councilwoman Jacobus made a motion to approve payment 3 10 for the Borough Hall Fire Suppression contract to Guy M. Cooper Inc. in the amount of $ 5,049.60. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman McMenamin, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
2023 FEE SCHEDULE – Councilwoman Jacobus made a motion to approve Resolution 2022-19, adopting the Borough of Hatboro fee schedule for the year 2023. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Jacobus, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
ADOPTION OF TAX RATE ORDINANCE – Vice President Stockton made a motion to adopt ordinance No. 1073, establishing the tax millage rates for the Borough of Hatboro Operating Budget for the year 2023. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman McMenamin, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
ADOPTION OF 2023 BUDGET – Councilwoman McMenamin made a motion to adopt the 2023 operating Budget for the Borough of Hatboro. Motion was seconded by Vice president Stockton, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
DCNR GRANT – Councilman Myers made a motion to authorize an application to the DCNR lawn to meadow initiative for a riparian buffer project at the Pennypack property. DCNR will provide 100% of the funding for this project. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Reichner, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
PERSONNEL MANUAL UPDATE – Councilwoman McMenamin made a motion to approve the updated Personnel Manual for the Borough of Hatboro Non-Represented Employees. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Jacobus, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
OLD BUSINESS AND UPDATES
RATIFICATION OF LIQUID FUELS PAYMENT #2 – Vice President Stockton made a motion to ratify the motion made at the November 28, 2022, Council Meeting for Liquid Fuels payment #2 due to a change in the amount of payment request after the agenda was already published and the correct amount of the payment is $ 35,582.47. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman McMenamin, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
NEW BUSINESS
UNION LIBRARY EXPENDITURE LIST – Councilwoman Jacobus made a motion to approve the Union Library Expenditure List for the month of December 2022 in the amount of $ 13,502.01. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Reichner, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
2023 MEETING SCHEDULE – Vice president Stockton made a motion to approve the Borough meeting schedule for the year 2023. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Reichner, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
SMALL WATER/SEWER GRANT RESOLUTION – Councilwoman Reichner made a motion to approve Resolution 2022-20, memorializing the Small Water/Sewer application for the Lille league Stormwater improvement Project authorized at the November 28, 2022, meeting. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Jacobus, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
RC-2 TOWN CENTER ORDINANCE HEARING DATE – Councilwoman McMenamin made a motion to advertise a public hearing for the RC-2 Town Center ordinance. The public hearing shall be scheduled for January 23, 2023. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Reichner, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
APPOINTMENT OF NEW COUNCILPERSON – Vice president Stockton made a motion to appoint Nicole Shay to Borough Council. Motion was seconded by Councilman Myers, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0.
SWEARING IN OF NEW COUNCILPERSON – Mayor Schultz swore in Nicole Shay to Borough Council.
PUBLIC COMMENT –
Katrina Nuss, 117 Academy Road, stated in preparation for the new Wawa construction at York and Horsham Roads, she requests that Council research and place restrictions on the traffic flow cutting through Crooked Billet, Loller, and Academy Roads and also research and put in place traffic calming measures such as speed bumps because of the vehicles cutting through the neighborhood already. President Bollendorf stated that they cannot restrict traffic and the Chief stated that any traffic calming measure have to be supported by a traffic study. Manager Hegele stated they are putting up no Thru Traffic signs which the chief stated cannot be reinforced but are just courtesy signs.
ADJOURNMENT – Vice President Stockton made a motion to adjourn the December 19, 2022, Council Meeting. Motion was seconded by Councilwoman Reichner, all ayes. Motion carried 6-0. President Bollendorf adjourned the December 19, 2022, Council Meeting at 7:44 P.M.
Respectfully submitted by:
Diane C. Hegele, Borough Manager
Transcribed by Cindy Bollendorf